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How is 2013 Going to Be Different?

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” often isn’t when it comes to Singles. Without having a much desired spouse and family to share it with, struggling as a single-parent to make it memorable for the kids, fighting the loneliness from a widowed partner, trying to survive financially or dealing with much indecision often turns Christmas and New Year’s into the most difficult time of the year, especially emotionally.

However, with an alternate perspective, outlook and idea, we really can make this the most wonderful time of the year or at least a point in our life where things started to change.

A new year is often seen as a logical point where we can declare a new start, a fresh opportunity, or a chance to alter something in our life. Many make “resolutions” as a way to announce what they are “going to accomplish” in the New Year only to see them forgotten within the first few weeks.

One of the reasons for the failure?

Today is no different from last week, which was no different than last month and isn’t different from a year ago. Most of us live rather consistent, predictable lives and aren’t willing to take a chance (or make a change).

Granted, there are many benefits from having a routine, being a creature of habit and doing things in a precise and orderly manner day in and day out. I have my routines in certain areas which allows me to stay on track, be productive, and keep from going crazy (as well as those around me), but there are other times I go “off the grid” and do something so far out of the “norm” to mix things up, make a drastic change or even take a step in faith.

If your desire for something new doesn’t include some sort of change in your actions from today to twelve months from now, you will most likely end up facing another year in the same place you are today.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” As someone who was known for experimenting with a variety of alternatives before reaching the desired solution, he should know.

How many people will you hear this month say their goal this year is to “lose weight” or to “get in shape” and how many do you think at the end of year will have accomplished their desire?

Jared Fogle was the only member of his family to struggle with his weight. He says, “Food was a comfort to me. It replaced personal relationships. It replaced extra-curricular activities. It replaced everything in my life.” As a result, his weight ballooned to 425 pounds while attending college.

After several failed attempts to lose the weight, he had an idea. He made a plan to start skipping breakfasts and eat only a couple of submarine sandwiches, baked potato chips and a diet soda each day, and implemented it. This cut his daily consumption of food from 10,000 calories a day to just 2,000.

Noticing he had more energy after a couple of months, he added walking to his plan.

In the matter of one year, he dropped 245 pounds, which he has been able to maintain for the past ten. As a result of his idea and subsequent action, Jared is now the national spokesperson for Subway sandwiches, champions the cause to combat childhood obesity and got married.

Many of us “hope” this New Year will bring about a new relationship, one that will lead us to our future spouse (that’s our idea at least). How many of us will actually have a specific plan and take “tangible” steps in order to further the probability of this happening?

Understandably, there is only “so much” we can do if it’s not God’s Will; however we also have to accept the responsibility to take some sort of action.

Faith by itself, if it is not accomplished by action, is dead.James 2:17

So, what is going to be your plan to help to make this happen?

Are you going to (finally) complete that online dating profile, walk up to that guy or girl you have been “eyeing” for the past year, or ask out that “friend” you’ve been talking to for so long? Will you ask for her phone number, make conversation with him or just start with eye contact and a smile?

Don’t lose another year of opportunity.

Every successful endeavor just started with an idea, a plan and a discipline to stick with it until conclusion.

May 2013 be the start of the most wonderful time of the year for you!

Cliff Young is a contributing writer to Sandlot Stories (ARose Books), as well as the monthly column, "He Said-She Said," in Crosswalk.com's Singles Channel. An architect and former youth worker, he now works with Christian musicians and consults for a number of Christian ministries. Got feedback? Send your comments and questions to [email protected].